​ATLANTA, GEORGIA – MARCH 01: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at State Farm Arena on March 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Ziaire Williams #1 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures to teammates as he controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Chase Center on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kelley L Cox/Getty Images)Ziaire Williams will be one of the new faces in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform this upcoming season. Brought in as part of a major roster overhaul, he will be looking to make an impact.Williams, 24, was added with depth in mind, but the 6’9” forward already sees a larger opening in front of him after Los Angeles missed out on Jonathan Kuminga. And frankly, Williams doesn’t think Kuminga signing elsewhere changes much of anything for the Lakers.“Yeah, I do, and I mean that’s the GM’s job, right to put the best pieces together to try to win a championship,” Williams told Sports Illustrated. “I don’t think it’s altered whether or not Kuminga was here.”Williams joined the Lakers having seen his team option declined by the Brooklyn Nets. He signed a one-year deal, which makes next season a solid opportunity to prove himself at the wing position in L.A.New Lakers Addition Gives Honest Thoughts on Jonathan KumingaGettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 25: Ziaire Williams #1 of the Brooklyn Nets gestures to teammates as he controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Chase Center on March 25, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kelley L Cox/Getty Images)
Kuminga was the Lakers’ reported go-to summer target. After LeBron James and Rui Hachimura departed in free agency, adding a starting-caliber wing became a top priority. They stayed in talks with Kuminga even after filling out much of the roster with the likes of Quentin Grimes, Williams and Matisse Thybulle. Landing Williams and Thybulle was a calculated move, as they both joined on minimum-level deals in part of a broader push for size and defense on the wing after the team spent most of its cap space elsewhere.They still kept the Kuminga opportunity wide open up until he signed for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Now Williams is making it clear the he and the Lakers aren’t worried about the guys who aren’t here.“I wish him the best of luck in Minnesota, but as a team, we’re focused on the guys we have and making a deep playoff run and winning an